Bukit Tigapuluh Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection

To protect the wildlife and habitat of the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem in Indonesia

The ecosystem of Bukit Tigapuluh is rich in
biodiversity with the representation of highly threatened flagship species such
as Sumatran tiger, elephant and tapir, and is the site of a reintroduction
programme for the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan. The programme is
endorsed by the Indonesian Government. The ecosystem has been threatened by
logging, forest fires and clearing of the land for farming. The protection of
wildlife and the ecosystem through the funding local wildlife protection units,
community education, infrastructure to support these programmes, development of
alternative industry and government negotiation, liaison and advocacy has been
vital for the success of habitat protection.

The goals of the project include advocacy,
representation and programmes to protect the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem. Programmes include:

community development programmes
and local employment that complements the conservation of biodiversity

Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and its
surrounding areas in the province of Jambi make up a unique area of Sumatra
with rich biodiversity. A reintroduction programme initiated by Frankfurt
Zoological Society (FZS) for ex-pet and orphaned Sumatran orangutans has been
operating in the area since 2003. In a world first, a Perth Zoo born and bred
Sumatran orangutan was successfully released at Bukit Tigapuluh as part of this
programme in 2006 to help boost the numbers and genetic diversity of the
reintroduced population. A second Perth Zoo born orangutan was released in
2011.

A coalition of partners, which include FZS,
Australian Orangutan Project, Perth Zoo and other Australian and New Zealand
zoos (Australia Zoo, Auckland Zoo, Taronga Conservation Society and Dreamworld),
fund various projects in Bukit
Tigapuluh. These include wildlife protection units, the release programme for
orangutans, sanctuaries for the intensive management of orangutans prior to
release, research projects, infrastructure, elephant–human conflict mitigation
projects and community education programmes for local people.

All programmes train and employ local people
and support local community involvement. This involves cooperation and written
agreements with the Indonesian Government at the local government (Bupati),
provincial and national levels. The outcomes achieved to date include:

development of Wildlife
Protection Units within the ecosystem minimising encroachment into the
protected areas of the park and protecting some 150,000-200,000 ha

the establishment and operation
of Mobile Education Units that work with villagers in the immediate areas of
the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem and build awareness of the importance of the
protection of the wildlife and ecosystem

construction of infrastructure
to support the ongoing operations and presence of the orangutan re-introduction
programme (the largest employer in the area) as well as the wildlife protection
units and researchers.

the introduction of 139
Sumatran orangutans (as at 2011) into the ecosystem creating the only alternate
population of orangutan outside of Sumatra's Aceh Province

the construction of an open orangutan
sanctuary that supports the orangutan reintroduction programme as well as
providing training for local people, creating an additional presence in the
ecosystem that deters illegal activities, protecting the biodiversity and
wildlife of the ecosystem and creating additional local employment

infrastructure upgrades including
road works and bridges within the
protected areas to enable the patrols to occur and maintain presence of
wildlife patrols within the ecosystem

wildlife surveys to build
understanding of the extent of wildlife within the ecosystem including a
specific research programme on elephants in the ecosystem and elephant conflict
management

The broader programme employs over 80 local
people as staff in the wildlife patrols; as technicians working with wildlife
in sanctuaries and in monitoring wildlife; as educators; and as support staff.

WAZA
Conservation Project 10001 is implemented by
Frankfurt Zoological Society, Perth Zoo, Australian Orangutan Project and the
Ministry of Forestry, Republic of Indonesia.